Continuous process for sodium methylate

摘要

A process is disclosed for the continuous production of sodium methylate from sodium and an excess of methanol. The process involves charging a reaction vessel with a solution of sodium methylate in methanol at a temperature of from about 80 DEG to 86 DEG C.; providing an inert atmosphere in the reaction vessel; agitating the contents of the reaction vessel; adding molten sodium at a metered rate to the agitated reaction vessel; adding methanol to the agitated reaction vessel at a rate which maintains the temperature of the reaction mass in a range of 80 DEG to 86 DEG C.; reacting the sodium and methanol for a sufficient time to substantially complete the reaction of sodium; and withdrawing from the reaction vessel a solution of sodium methylate in methanol.